The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website says fruit and vegetable allergies are most common in teens and young adults. If you are allergic to melon, it is possible you were able to eat the fruit without problems as a child but suddenly developed an allergy as you reached your teen years. If you suffer from melon allergies, you may also react adversely to oranges, peaches and tomatoes.
Causes
Melon allergies are usually caused by oral allergy syndrome, also known as OAS. Hay fever sufferers are most at risk of developing OAS, according to American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Fruit and vegetable proteins, such as those found in melons, are similar in construction to plant pollens and can cause an allergic reaction in people with a pre-existing plant-related allergy. It is also possible to have a severe general food allergy to melon.
Symptoms
Oral allergy symptoms develop in and around your mouth. Swollen lips and an itchy, irritated mouth and throat are signs of a melon allergy from OAS. Oral allergy symptoms can develop immediately and last for up to an hour. Reactions are rarely serious enough to require treatment. However, dial 911 if you experience symptoms affecting other parts of your body after eating melon. Body swelling, a skin rash, gastric problems or an inability to breathe could be a sign of anaphylaxis caused by a general food allergy. An anaphylactic allergic reaction requires immediate medical intervention and can be fatal if left untreated.
Treatment
Dr. Anthony Ham Pong, a contributor to the Calgary Allergy Network website, says your allergist may be able to treat melon allergies with an allergy shot. The shot encourages your body to build up an immunity to melon, lessening the severity or eliminating symptoms when exposed to the allergen. Emergency treatment for a severe reaction to melon is an adrenaline injection administered through an epinephrine injection. Your allergist may recommend you carry an injection pen if you have previously suffered a severe allergic reaction to melon caused by a general food allergy.
Prevention
Avoiding melons and related fruit or vegetables is the simplest way to prevent an allergic reaction caused by oral allergy syndrome. You must ingest the fruit to initiate OAS symptoms, so removing melon from your diet should be an effective course of action. Melon is a common breakfast dish, so dining out at a restaurant may cause problems through food cross-contamination. Knives and surfaces used to prepare melon can transfer allergens to other food items. Tell your server you have an allergy to melon so he can ask the chef to prepare your food in a melon-free area.
References
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Oral Allergy Syndrome
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Allergy Clinical Services: Oral Allergy Syndrome
- Calgary Allergy Network; AAIA Articles; Oral Allergy Syndrome; Dr. Anthony Ham Pong, M.B., B.S.
- Ohio State College of Medicine, Division of Sinus and Allergy: Oral-Allergy Syndrome
- Allergist: Oral Allergy Syndrome
- MayoClinic.com; Food Allergy; Prevention
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